As one might expect from the show’s title, teams from Canada and
Australia will square off this season, coached by Patrick Cote
and Kyle
Noke, respectively. The tournament fields are composed of eight
welterweights and eight middleweights, meaning two “TUF” winners
will be crowned.

The competitors pile out of two large, white vans and enter the UFC
training center in Quebec. The coaches make their entrance
simultaneously and welcome the fighters. As the teams have already
been selected based on nation of origin, the coaches flip a coin to
decide who will win control of the first fight pick. The coin comes
up red, meaning Team Canada will choose the show’s inaugural
matchup. The choice will be announced in a few days, after both
teams receive some initial training.

White explains that each bout will be evaluated this season, with
$25,000 being awarded to the fighters responsible for the best
fight, knockout and submission. Additionally, fighters will receive
a $5,000 bonus for each finish they score during the
competition.

The coaches give their squads locker room pep talks, and the cast
is then transported to the sickest log cabin ever constructed by
man. The Aussies approach the barbecue “straight away” and feast on
some animal protein together, presumably as a bonding exercise. The
next several days will be physically demanding for Team Australia,
as the fighters do their best to adjust to some wicked travel
fatigue.

Back at the gym, Cote fires up the Xbox One and uses the power of
the Internet to video chat with White, who welcomes the cast with a
typical “TUF” introduction. “The Predator” then announces his first
fight pick, selecting Team Canada’s Kajan
Johnson to face Team Australia’s Brendan
O’Reilly.

“The main reason we chose O’Reilly is that he is a natural
[lightweight],” Cote explains in a confessional. “Kajan is one of
the smallest 170-pounders we have. Size-wise, that was the logical
choice.”

During Team Canada’s training session, Cote is pleased that there
are no egos on his squad and that everyone is helping each other.
Luke
Harris believes the team could even pull off a sweep of the
Australians, citing Team Canada’s depth of talent. On the other
side, Team Australia trains hard from the get-go, save for
O’Reilly, who focuses more on technical instruction since he will
fight in short order.

Johnson will step into the cage injured, stating that he has
entered the show with a damaged rotator cuff and a minor LCL tear
in his right knee.

“Even if I’m injured, I’m more dangerous than anyone else here,”
says the 30-fight pro, though he also admits to feeling some nerves
ahead of this important opening matchup.

Cote has focused on Johnson keeping his emotions in check, as the
11-year vet has not competed in more than two years. Meanwhile,
O’Reilly wants to bring the fight to the Canadian and overwhelm him
with intensity.

Both fighters easily make weight, and it is now time to fight. Sure
enough, O’Reilly bulls forward to start the contest, eating a knee
to the mug in order to score a powerful takedown. Johnson deftly
rolls for an inside heel hook but cannot secure the finish, as a
bloody O’Reilly wriggles free. Johnson regains his vertical base
and grabs a standing waist cinch before hopping on the Aussie’s
back. O’Reilly shucks him off, but takes a hard elbow behind the
ear for his trouble. The Australian drives for another takedown,
but Johnson stuffs him and once again takes his back, this time
cinching a tight rear-naked choke and forcing the tap.

Following the fight, a representative from the Quebec athletic
commission tells a disappointed O’Reilly that he will require
stitches for the cut over his right eye. However, the commission
will not medically suspend him, meaning he could be eligible for
re-entry into the tournament if another fighter is forced to
withdraw.

Though O’Reilly has suffered the first setback of his young career,
he nevertheless remains optimistic about the lessons learned from
his defeat to the experienced Canadian. With Johnson’s victory,
Team Canada retains control of the fight pick, and Cote chooses
middleweight Elias
Theodorou to meet Team Australia’s Zein Saliba
in next week’s matchup.